Jacqui Lambie (Tasmania, Jacqui Lambie Network) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I wish to inform the chamber that Senator Hanson, Senator Siewert, Senator Steele-John, Senator Patrick and Senator Marielle Smith will also sponsor this motion. I move:

That the Senate—

(a) is not of the view that the Morrison Government's announcement of the National Commissioner for Defence and Veterans Suicide Prevention is "better than a Royal Commission";

(b) calls on the Morrison Government to establish a Royal Commission into Veterans Suicide, with a clear start and end date; and

(c) invites the Royal Commissioner to recommend that a standing, permanent capability be established to oversee reform, should the Commissioner see fit to do so.

Jonathon Duniam (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Jonathon Duniam (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Subject to legislation, the National Commissioner for Defence and Veterans Suicide Prevention will have powers equivalent to a royal commission. This will include undertaking broad-ranging inquiries, hearing from any relevant party, conducting public and private hearings, compelling the production of evidence and summoning witnesses. This includes an inquiry into past suicides in line with the terms of reference set by the Prime Minister, with a formal interim and final reporting date for the publication of findings and recommendations. This approach ensures an enduring and unwavering focus on addressing the complex issue of suicide in the veterans community.

Pauline Hanson (Queensland, Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Pauline Hanson (Queensland, Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

One Nation acknowledges the Morrison government's creation of a permanent national commissioner to investigate suicides amongst Defence Force personnel and veterans. More than 400 known veteran suicide cases have been recorded since 2001, leaving thousands of family members haunted by the inaction of the Liberal and Labor governments. It's time this government acted with the same courage and rigour as our Defence personnel and establish a royal commission into veteran suicide. One Nation is a co-sponsor of this motion and therefore supports it wholeheartedly.

Jordon Steele-John (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Jordon Steele-John (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Australian Greens proudly co-sponsor this motion today. I do so along with my colleague Senator Siewert. Anybody who has spoken with a family that has been touched by veteran suicide will know the pain that they feel and the urgency that is demanded by so many for an independent and rigorous investigation that is able to look under every rock and stone and get an answer to the question why so many veterans are being driven to take these actions. I met a few days ago with Julie-Anne Finney, who came into this building to bring the voices of over 300,000 Australians who have so far signed a petition calling for the government to take this action. We proudly support this motion in solidarity with Julie-Anne and all veterans' families who have experienced this disgraceful outcome.

Question agreed to.